The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-02-03

bit of lead in her bosom at this an
nouncement.
"He's been a-wanting to go to the
city fur some time" said the old lady,
taking out her knitting and settling her
self for pleasant chat 81 s'pose he'll
call an see Priscilla Pinkham while he's
there. l wish he hadn't took such a
notion to that girl" she added, conf
dentially, as she looked sharply through
her glasses at Viney's blushlng checks.
"But, there, We needn't bother about
that now. Pm real glad you'll stay with
me, Viney; and I'll have lemon cakes
and raspberry jam fur tea. know what
young folks like" she added, kindly.
81 must say, Priscilla, it's tine you
found something to dol" said Miss Me-
lissa Pinkham, sharply, to her younger
sister. "You spent all our spare funds
on that trip to the country this fall, and
lost your situation by it, and here we
are, getting poorer every day. I tried
to make little something renting rooms,
but nobody's come to look at 'em even,
and something's got to be done"
ooh, don't worry, Mclssl My trip
to the country, that you grumbled about
so, was a speculation. Just wait till
Cecil Fairfax comcs I'll manage to
bring him to the point, see if don't !
And when get him our troubles will be
overT
"Humph!" shifted Melissa. 81 don't
believe in having to bring man to the
point! And besides, if your Mr.. Fair
fax was to see you now, 1 don't think
you'd find it so easy to do" she added,
with glance at her sisters soiled dress,
rough, untidy hair and slip-shod feet.
ooh, he won't see me this wayw said
Priscilla, lightly. "I shall frizz my hair
and wear my crimson cashmere and my
beaded jersey when he comes"
At this very moment knock sounded
on the door, and opening it hastily,
Priscilla bcheld-Cecil Fairfax.
He could hardly conceal his surprise
at the picture which met his gaze, for
Miss Priscilla had been the pink Of
neatness during the few weeks he had
known her, and Cecil had all mans
horror of slovenly woman.
Priscilla, on her part, was awkward
and embarrassed, and was glad when the
interview was over.
"That's the end of your speculation p
cried Melissa, sharply, when the guest
had departed sAsd now thet ,yon,
pretty air-castIe has tumbled about your
ears, hope you'll be satisfied to 60 to
work"
"Who would have thought she was
such slouch?" murmured Cecil, as he
started for the depot to take the first
train for home. ''Littlc Viney Farron,
in her calico frocks and check aprons,
is worth dozen Miss Pinkhams, as mo-
ther said."
Mrs. Fairfax and Vincy were just sit
ting down to their lemon cakes, rasp
berry jam and fragrant Oolong tea, wher
the door opened and Cecil appeared.
And so Viney had the pleasant chat
with him, after all, while Mrs. Fairfa,
set away tho tea things, and the bright
freight flashed over the coscy room, anG
Cecil watched Viney's fair face, with
look of lover-like admiration in his hand
some eyes.
"Here's something for you, viney,' u
said Tom Farron, handing his sister
large embossed envelope, plainly ad
dressed to "Miss Elvina Farron."
viney opened it carefully, and ou
dropped gold ring, which was attached
by thread to the han isomely decorated
valentine inclosed in the envelope.
Within beautifully designed wreatl
of orange blossoms was the coup,et:
''If thou wilt be my Valentine,
Accept this ring and am thne!"
And under the lines was the name Gee
s Gil Fairfax"
E Adaline Bunting, who was at her cous
} in's at the time, bcheld the valentine
: with mixture Of feelings. .
S "We didn't make much by sendin
: Vincy to stay with Mrs. Fairfax ths
day." she informed her sisters, "for c.
| Gil came homo the same night, and he
| sent Vincy valentine, asking her t
marry him."
, "We!l, l must sayl What fools W
F., were!" cried Patty Ann, much provoked
o But it's too late how; the mischief
i done. " Helen w. Clark.